Othello act 1 essay questions

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Othello Act 1 Essay Questions

Othello Questions and Answers. The Question and Answer section for Othello is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Sample essay questions on Othello. 1. In another play by Shakespeare a tragic hero described himself as ‘more sinned against than sinning.’ In your opinion, could this also be true of Othello? In the course of your answer: Explain clearly in what ways Othello might seem to be a victim. Othello Study Guide Questions Essay; Othello Study Guide Questions Essay. Words Feb 23rd, 16 Pages. Act I Scene i 1. Describe the sensory details of the opening scene: sights, sounds, smells, etc. What does Iago plan to convince Othello of at the end of Act I? How do you think he will accomplish this? He does the same in case of Cassio and Othello. However, Cassio is the smaller fish whom Iago uses to trap the shark, Othello. The kind of impression Cassio builds, leaves Iago happy that he has found the bait he can use to wreak havoc in Othello’s world. 1. How does Shakespeare present the world of Venice in the first act, and how does he construct the interactions of his central characters (Iago, Othello, and Desdemona) with .

What sort of person is Cassio? What happens to him, and how does Iago plan to use the situation in his plan against Othello?

He speaks of Othello and Desdemona with honor and when it comes to the ladies, he is very courtly in his manner, formal and yet very pleasant. Sometimes it also appears like he is trying to keep everyone around him pleased which a sly person like Iago would interpret as a vulnerability to be exploited.

However, Cassio clearly means to impress others and of course the ladies are most important. He is slightly weak when it comes to ladies, which also gets clear from his romance with Bianca. Whenever he mentions Othello and Desdemona, he speaks of them with utmost respect.

Othello Act 2 Discussion questions

Another thing that gets clear from his speech is that he is good at lending company to others and would not love to disappoint no one. His speech is encouraging and he speaks to inspire confidence in others. Iago is a skilled villain and he knows how to trap a fish.

If you spoil the water, fish start running in every direction and it becomes easier to catch them. He spoils the situation to create more confusion than anyone can see through and then traps the fish he wants to. He does the same in case of Cassio and Othello.

Othello Act 1, Scene 1-3 Questions

However, Cassio is the smaller fish whom Iago uses to trap the shark, Othello. Iago gets Cassio drunk who then gets caught in a fight with Roderigo and for having caused all this mess is subjected to punishment. Iago uses Montano to build the case against Cassio and together they fill Othello with whatever mischief Cassio has made and Iago exaggerates his part very well to leave Othello angrier. Iago is clever to not let Cassio know of the role he has played in the situation and then when Cassio has received the punishment and lost his rank he comes back to console him.

In this way, you can see Iago making Cassio a scapegoat and using him in his plot against Othello.

What more do we learn about the nature of Iago in act 2? What is the effect of having him share his thoughts and plans with us through his soliloquies?

What sorts of descriptive language does he use? How does it contribute to the picture of Iago that Shakespeare is drawing? The picture of Iago that Shakespeare is trying to draw is that of a sly demon who would kill anyone for the sake of his joy. He is ready to make a scapegoat of anyone if that benefits him and can use any situation to his own benefit. Shakespeare has drawn a complex and yet engaging and interesting character in Iago who despite being a villain can be amusing and that like in case of Shylock adds depth to the character.

Shakespeare has used soliloquies to make his point clearer about Iago. Without these soliloquies some of the flavour in the drama might have gone missing. Readers get a clear glimpse of how mean and selfish he is in the second act of the drama.

He is using everyone and anyone around him like Cassio, Roderigo and even Desdemona. He uses highly ornamental language in his soliloquies as if he is thinking out aloud to himself. His language and speech makes clear how bad he is feeling about the Moor and the depth of hatred in his heart for Moor and his wife. His hatred for Othello makes his mind imagine silly things.

He believes Moor has cast a shadow on his wife and has entered his bed. His soliloquies give us a deeper picture of his character and how sly, mischievous, comic and full of hatred Iago is at his heart.